BAKERY/LEAD CLERK (Sweet Shop)

Kroger; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible scheduling

Employee Assistance Program

Associate discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Kroger Co. in Chicago seeks a Department Manager substitute to oversee daily operations in the manager’s absence. You’ll ensure staffing, maintain SOP compliance, supervise merchandising, and support customer service in a fast-paced department.

The role emphasizes adherence to safety and quality standards, teamwork, and effective communication with customers and staff across shifts in an on-site store setting.

Qualifications

• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills
• Sound judgement/decision making skills
• Strong math skills (e.g., calculate discounts, proportions, percentages)
• Ability to read/interpret documents
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to speak effectively to groups of customers/employees

Responsibilities

• Encourage teamwork through cooperative interactions with co-workers.
• Welcome, serve and assist customers to provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure proper staffing to address service levels and efficient utilization of labor.
• Operate equipment according to company guidelines.
• Effectively communicate with customers and respond to questions and requests in a timely manner.
• Ensure opening/closing procedures are followed according to SOPs.
• Assure storage and code dating SOPs are adhered to for all products.
• Ensure all price changes and in-store transfers occur in a timely fashion in the department manager’s absence.
• Ensure the removal and disposal of un-sellable product from the department.
• Follow merchandising guidelines, including display models, signage, and product packaging.
• Monitor the temperature and placement of products in coolers and freezers to maintain freshness.
• Oversee product portion control to ensure SOPs are met.
• Ensure all receiving procedures are adhered to appropriately in the department manager’s absence.
• Proof, bake, glaze, top, and thaw product in accordance with SOPs.
• Perform stocking duties, ensuring correct placement of stock and refilling of product.
• Follow all company and department policies and SOPs.
• Comply with and reinforce all food safety, sanitation and safety regulations/guidelines/procedures and programs; identify unsafe conditions and notify store management.
• Maintain ability to work all shifts and relocate to another store location.
• Physical demands include walking, standing, kneeling, lifting 5–80 lbs and pushing 200–2000 lbs; exposure to temperatures; occasional climbing.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Decision making

Math skills

Reading documents

Written communication

Public speaking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Backup the department manager and oversee the department successfully in the manager’s absence, mastering the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) including merchandising, order guides, scheduling, contribution to profit, people development and customer service. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion and safety.

Responsibilities

• Encourage teamwork through cooperative interactions with co-workers.
• Welcome, serve and assist customers to provide excellent customer service.
• Ensure proper staffing to address service levels and efficient utilization of labor.
• Operate equipment (e.g., knives, box cutter and pricing gun) according to company guidelines.
• Effectively communicate with customers and respond to questions and requests in a timely manner.
• Ensure opening/closing procedures are followed according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assure storage and code dating SOPs are adhered to for all products.
• Ensure all price changes and in-store transfers occur in a timely fashion in the department manager’s absence.
• Ensure the removal and disposal of un-sellable product from the department.
• Follow all merchandising guidelines, including display models, signage, and product packaging.
• Monitor the temperature and placement of products in coolers and freezers to maintain freshness of products.
• Oversee product portion control to ensure SOPs are met.
• Ensure all receiving procedures are adhered to appropriately in the department manager’s absence.
• Proof, bake, glaze, top, and thaw product in accordance with SOPs.
• Perform stocking duties, ensuring correct placement of stock and refilling of product.
• Follow all company and department policies and SOPs.
• Comply with and reinforce all food safety, sanitation and safety regulations/guidelines/procedures and programs according to company, local, state, and federal health code regulations; identify unsafe conditions and notify store management.
• Maintain ability to work all shifts and flexibility to relocate to another store location.
• Physical demands include, but are not limited to, frequently walking on wet surfaces, standing, turning, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping/bending, lifting and carrying objects 5 to 80 lbs. and pushing/pulling objects 200 to 2,000 lbs. exposure to hot/cold temperatures. Occasionally crawl, climb ladders and walking on uneven ground.
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications

Minimum

• High school diploma or general education degree, 1+ years’ retail experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills
• Friendly, approachable and outgoing demeanor/team player
• Sound judgement/decision making skills
• Strong math skills (e.g., calculate discounts, proportions, percentages)
• Basic algebra and geometry skills (e.g., calculate circumferences, volume)
• Ability to read/interpret documents (e.g., training manuals)
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to speak effectively to groups of customers/employees

Job Info

• Job Identification 248216
• Job Category Store Operations
• Posting Date 11/03/2026, 01:19 PM
• Locations 3030 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657, US (On-site)

The Kroger Family of Companies offers comprehensive benefits to support your Associate Well-Being, including Physical, Emotional, Financial and more. We'll help you thrive, with access to:

• A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
• Flexible scheduling in full- and part-time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
• Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
• Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
• Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry-leading Continuing Education program.
• Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry-leading training programs and diverse career pathways.

From one tiny Cincinnati grocery store more than a century ago, we’ve grown into what today is the nation’s largest grocer with nearly 2,800 stores in 35 states operating under 28 different names. As America’s grocer, we take pride in bringing diverse teams with a passion for food and people together with one common purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit. With a history of innovation, we work tirelessly to create amazing experiences for our customers, communities AND each other, with food at the heart of it all.
Here, people matter. That’s why we strive to provide the ingredients you need to create your own recipe for success at work and in life. We help feed your future by providing the value and care you need to grow. If you’re caring, purpose-driven and hungry to learn, your potential is unlimited.
Whether you’re seeking a part-time position or a new career path, we’ve got a fresh opportunity for you.